Palliation of dysphagia.

This article discusses the diagnosis and interventional options apart from surgical resection for carcinoma of the esophagus. Other topics discussed are methods of inserting plastic and self-expanding metal stents in conjunction with their complications, and neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet photodynamic therapy, cryoablation, and BICAP (bipolar cautery probe) options. Clinical scenarios illustrate the pros and cons of these approaches.